New York Department of Agriculture and Markets. – Food Safety Newshttps://www.foodsafetynews.com
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.3&lxb_maple_bar_source=lxb_maple_bar_sourcehttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/files/2018/05/cropped-siteicon-32x32.pngNew York Department of Agriculture and Markets. – Food Safety Newshttps://www.foodsafetynews.com
3232Raw milk dairy shut down in New York following positive Listeria testhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/05/raw-milk-dairy-shut-down-in-new-york-following-positive-listeria-test/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/05/raw-milk-dairy-shut-down-in-new-york-following-positive-listeria-test/#respondWed, 20 May 2020 04:05:32 +0000https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=194386Continue Reading]]>State officials are warning the public against consuming unpasteurized milk from a New York dairy because sample test results show it to be contaminated with Listeria.

Anyone who has any raw milk from Serenity Meadows Dairy in Cayuga County is urged to throw it away. Anyone who has consumed raw milk from the dairy recently should monitor themselves in the coming weeks for symptoms of Listeria infection, which can take up to 70 days to develop.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets had samples of raw milk from Serenity Meadows tested, according to information released by the department. Two samples, including one taken Monday, returned positive results for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly foodborne pathogen.

The dairy operator, Doren Martin, was ordered to halt sales until samples show it is free of bacteria and other pathogens. As of Tuesday no illnesses had been confirmed in relation to the implicated milk.

Federal law prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk, but some states have laws allowing sales in limited settings and at retail. In New York, unpasteurized, raw milk can only be sold from the dairy directly to the consumer who will be using it. Dairies selling raw milk are required to meet several testing requirements, including for brucella, Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and others.

About Listeria infectionsFood contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has consumed any of the implicated milk and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

Initial and followup testing showed the contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. State officials first notified the dairy owners of positive initial test results on Jan. 15, but operations continued. Confirmation testing returned positive results for the pathogen on Jan. 21.

Pennings Farm, Warwick, NY, is now prohibited from selling raw milk until testing shows no contamination. No illnesses have been confirmed in relation to the raw, unpasteurized milk.

Any consumers who have any of the raw milk from Pennings Farm on hand should dispose of it immediately. Anyone who has consumed any of the raw milk should monitor themselves for symptoms of Listeria infection for the following 70 days.

About Listeria infectionsFood contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has consumed any implicated milk and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has consumed any of the Pennings Farm raw milk should monitor themselves — or children who consumed the milk — for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/01/state-finds-listeria-in-raw-milk-warns-consumers-shuts-down-dairy-operations/feed/0State warns public about positive Listeria test from raw bottled milkhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/08/state-warns-public-about-positive-listeria-test-from-raw-bottled-milk/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/08/state-warns-public-about-positive-listeria-test-from-raw-bottled-milk/#respondFri, 02 Aug 2019 05:54:01 +0000https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=186878Continue Reading]]>The state of New York is warning people to not consume unpasteurized raw milk from Churchtown Dairy due to possible contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes.

On Friday, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets notified the dairy that a presumptive positive detection for Listeria was made from a bottled milk sample pulled from the dairy’s cooler on July 22. Listeria Monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that can cause the infection listeriosis.

No reported cases of the illness associated with the milk have been reported.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets said that consumers who purchased raw milk from the Foundation for Ag Integrity Churchtown Dairy should immediately dispose of it and call 518-851-2042.

The dairy’s cheese and other products are still approved for sale by state Agriculture and Markets.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets is reminding consumers that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, a process that kills bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases.

Information about Listeria infectionsFood contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has consumed any of the implicated milk and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has consumed any of the raw milk, or served it to children or other adults, should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/08/state-warns-public-about-positive-listeria-test-from-raw-bottled-milk/feed/0Listeria found in NY raw milk; state urges public to throw it outhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/02/listeria-found-in-ny-raw-milk-state-urges-public-to-throw-it-out/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/02/listeria-found-in-ny-raw-milk-state-urges-public-to-throw-it-out/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 21:30:05 +0000http://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=147836Continue Reading]]>New York officials again today warned the public to immediately dispose of unpasteurized Breese Hollow Dairy raw milk because of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The state has issued Listeria alerts for the dairy’s raw milk at least three other times since 2007.

The David Phippen Farm, which operates under the Breese Hollow name, suspended operations on Feb. 2, when state agriculture officials informed the owners that a routine test sample showed preliminary positive results for Listeria monocytogenes.

Further laboratory testing completed Feb. 6 confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the sample collected by the state inspector on Jan. 30.

As of 4:30 EST today no recalls had been posted by state or federal officials. The dairy does not appear to have a website.

“The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates the product is free from harmful bacteria,” according to the public health warning from New York Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball.

“The department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from Breese Hollow Dairy immediately dispose of it and call the Department at 518-457-1772 if they have questions.”

As of today, no confirmed illnesses are known by the department to be associated with the Breese Hollow unpasteurized milk.

However, it can take as many as 70 days for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop. The infection, Listeriosis, can cause serious illness and sometimes death, especially in young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Anyone who has consumed milk from the Breese Hollow Dairy in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. — or served it to their children or guests who have developed symptoms of Listeria infection should immediately seek medical attention. Specific tests are required to detect it, so people should tell their doctors about their possible exposure.

Also, people who have consumed any of the Breese Hollow raw milk should monitor themselves for at least two months for symptoms.

Symptoms can include flu-like symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the agriculture commissioner’s statement. Listeriosis can cause also miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

“It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization,” according to the public warning

“Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a period of time to kill the bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases such as Listeriosis, Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and brucellosis.

“Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis.”

The Tuesday warning from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the strongest yet in a series of state and federal alerts about unpasteurized milk sold by Udder Milk, an apparent distributing business based in New Jersey.

Public health investigators have not yet been able to find out what dairies supply Udder Milk. That is complicating traceback efforts and making it impossible to narrow the number of people potentially exposed to Brucella bacteria in the suspect milk.

“Because health officials have no direct way to let people know they may have drunk contaminated milk, everyone who consumed milk from Udder Milk in the past six months should receive antibiotics now to avoid having long-term health effects from the bacteria,” said Dr. William Bower, team lead for the CDC group that investigates infections from Brucella bacteria.

State officials in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island are working with the CDC, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration on the investigation. The FDA reported that attempts to contact the operators of Udder Milk have been unsuccessful.

People who drank or ate raw dairy products from Udder Milk may have been infected with a rare, serious bacterium called Brucella abortus RB51, according to the CDC.

“Until more information is available about which farms may be supplying contaminated milk or until officials can test milk from the farms, CDC recommends that anyone who drank raw milk or consumed raw milk products from Udder Milk in the past six months visit their doctor for antibiotics to prevent illness,” the Tuesday warning said.

Multi-drug resistant strain of BrucellaThe strain of Brucella abortus RB51 — which CDC confirmed to have infected at least one person in New Jersey who drank unpasteurized, raw milk from the Udder Milk company — is resistant to more than one “front-line” antibiotic. That makes it even more important for everyone who consumed unpasteurized Udder Milk products to immediately seek medical attention, according to the CDC.

“… people who consumed raw milk from Udder Milk should tell their doctor that they may have been exposed to this particular Brucella strain. Doctors can learn more about testing patients for RB51 and which antibiotics can prevent or cure infection at https://www.cdc.gov/brucellosis/clinicians/rb51-raw-milk.html,” the CDC advised.

In addition to seeking medical attention, anyone who consumed raw products from Udder Milk or gave them to their children should check daily for fever for 30 days after they last ate or drank anything from Udder Milk. They should watch for other brucellosis symptoms for six months.

Symptoms can include muscle pain, lasting fatigue, arthritis, depression and swelling of the testicles. Untreated Brucella RB51 infection can result in long-term health problems like arthritis, heart problems, enlargement of the spleen or liver, and in rare cases, nervous system problems like meningitis.

Brucella abortus RB51 can cause severe illness in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. It can cause pregnancy complications, including miscarriages.

People in at least four states at riskFederal law prohibits the interstate sale of unpasteurized dairy products, but as recently as this past weekend, the Udder Milk website showed delivery locations in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

It is illegal to sell unpasteurized milk in New Jersey. In New York it is illegal to sell it anywhere other than the farm where it was produced. Rhode Island allows the sale of raw goat milk, under strict licensing regulations. Connecticut allows on-farm and retail sales of raw milk but has specific licensing and inspection regulations.

New Jersey’s Department of Health ordered Udder Milk — self-described as a “co-op on wheels” — to cease and desist its illegal sales of raw milk on Nov. 9. The business appears to have continued operating, according to a notice from the FDA on Friday evening.

Rhode Island officials issued a similar cease and desist order for Udder Milk on Nov. 15. New York officials followed suit on Nov. 17.

The Udder Milk company hit public health radar screens in late September when a New Jersey woman became ill after drinking raw milk from the company. CDC confirmed her illness was Brucella RB51 in late October.

The New Jersey patient is the second known domestically acquired illness caused by Brucella RB51 in raw milk in the United States this year. The other was in Texas in July and was traced to the K-Bar Dairy near Paradise, TX.

The Texas and New Jersey incidents are not connected, according to federal officials. However, Texas officials have been working with the CDC and several other states because of reports of illnesses with symptoms consistent with brucellosis among people who drank raw milk from K-Bar.

]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/11/cdc-says-all-udder-milk-customers-need-medical-treatment/feed/0New York officials warn against raw milk from Udder Milkhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/11/new-york-officials-warn-against-raw-milk-from-udder-milk/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/11/new-york-officials-warn-against-raw-milk-from-udder-milk/#respondTue, 21 Nov 2017 05:31:54 +0000http://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=145917Continue Reading]]>New York health and agriculture officials are warning the public to not buy or consume unpasteurized, raw milk from Udder Milk in New Jersey because of the danger of contracting an antibiotic-resistant form of food poisoning.

Federal law prohibits transporting unpasteurized milk across state lines for sale. New York law prohibits the sale of unpasteurized, raw milk except for “on-farm” direct-to-consumer sales. New Jersey and Rhode Island have already ordered the Udder Milk company to cease and desist its “illegal sales” of unpasteurized milk.

“A New Jersey resident was recently diagnosed with a disease called brucellosis after her reported purchase of raw milk from a home delivery company named Udder Milk in New Jersey,” according to the public health alert from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“Drop off locations for the purchase of raw milk and other products from Udder Milk have been identified in New York City and Long Island.”

No confirmed illnesses in New York have been linked to raw milk from the Udder Milk company. However, state officials warned of the serious risks that come with consuming unpasteurized milk and products made with it.

Pasteurization involves heating raw milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time in order to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites including Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella. Raw milk also has been found to carry the pathogens that cause typhoid fever and tuberculosis.

“Pasteurization standards are in place to ensure the public’s health, but it’s important for New Yorkers to understand the dangers of raw milk and avoid consumption,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in the public alert.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said in the alert that the department is working with other states and federal officials on the investigation. Investigators are working to find out what diaries are supplying raw milk to the Udder Milk company.

“… we believe Udder Milk has delivered raw milk illegally in New York. As we continue to collaborate with our federal and state partners in this investigation, we want to alert New Yorkers to the potential dangers of purchasing raw milk from this company,” Ball said in the public health alert.

New Jersey officials previously announced a person tested positive in late October for a rare bacterial infection caused by Brucella RB51, which is resistant to antibiotics. It was the second U.S. case ofBrucella RB51 infection this year associated with raw milk.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating a separate case connected to a dairy company in Paradise, TX, that also sells raw milk products. Federal officials do not believe the Texas case is related to the New Jersey case, though no definitive information has been released.

A health advisory is scheduled to be distributed to New York City area healthcare providers and laboratories to raise awareness of the confirmed case in New Jersey and remind doctors to be on the lookout for symptoms of Brucella infection.

Symptoms may appear up to six months after exposure. In severe cases, infections of the bones, joints, reproductive organs, central nervous system or lining of the heart may occur. The infection also can cause fetal loss in pregnant women.

People who experience symptoms and may have consumed raw milk should see a doctor right away.

]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/11/new-york-officials-warn-against-raw-milk-from-udder-milk/feed/0Importer recalls ground cumin after NY inspectors find leadhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/07/importer-recalls-ground-cumin-after-ny-inspectors-find-lead/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/07/importer-recalls-ground-cumin-after-ny-inspectors-find-lead/#respondSat, 15 Jul 2017 04:00:44 +0000http://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=141968Continue Reading]]>A New York import-export company is recalling an undisclosed volume of ground cumin because it was found to be contaminated with lead.

Sol Andino Import & Export of Jackson Heights, NY, distributed the ground cumin to retail stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to the recall notice.

Consumers can identify the recalled product, which is packaged in 2-ounce plastic bags, by looking for the UPC number 884752003812. No other traceability information was provided in the recall notice. The notice did not include product photos.

“The contamination was discovered after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of excessive levels of lead in some 2-ounce packages of the ‘Ground Comin’ (Ground Cumin),” according to the recall notice posted July 10 on the department website.

“Distribution of the product has been suspended while the company continues their investigation to find the source of the problem.”

The lead levels measured in the recalled cumin are high enough to cause health problems — particularly in infants, small children, pregnant women, and those with underlying kidney disorders, according to New York officials.

If a child or a pregnant woman is exposed to lead, permanent damage can be caused to the central nervous system. Children can develop learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems.

“Pregnant women, children and patients with underlying kidney problems who may have consumed this product should consult with their physician or health care provider,” according to the recall notice.

Anyone who has purchased the recalled cumin is urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Sol Andino Import & Export at 917-288-4704.

The raw milk cheeses were distributed nationwide, with most being sold at retail locations in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States, California, Chicago, Portland, OR, and Washington D.C.

To view photos of the recalled cheeses, please click on the image.

Testing results from the Food & Drug Administration and the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets identified contamination in the Ouleout product. The particular strain of Listeria monocytogenes found by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets matched the strain isolated from six ill people, including two who died, as well as a Listeria strain confirmed in an open package of Vulto cheese from a victim’s home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Consumers that have any of these cheeses from Vulto Creamery should return them to the purchase location for a refund. Food and cheese wholesalers and retailers with any Vulto Creamery cheeses should immediately remove these products from common storage coolers and quarantine these cheeses in a secured area of a cooler. Any wholesaler or distributor that has any of the eight recalled Vulto Creamery cheeses should contact Vulto Creamery to receive instructions on what to do with the cheese.

“No recalled cheese should be destroyed until Vulto Creamery has been notified and agrees,” according to the original and expanded recall notices.

The production and distribution of all cheese products have been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention. It can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, so people who have eaten the cheese recently should monitor themselves for symptoms for the coming weeks.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and fetal infection among pregnant women.

]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/03/vulto-creamery-expands-cheese-recall-due-to-listeria/feed/0Ground turmeric recalled nationwide because of excessive leadhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/07/ground-turmeric-recalled-nationwide-because-of-excessive-lead/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/07/ground-turmeric-recalled-nationwide-because-of-excessive-lead/#respondFri, 29 Jul 2016 16:10:04 +0000http://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=129737Continue Reading]]>Gel Spice Inc. is recalling ground turmeric powder that was distributed to retailers nationwide because it contains excessive levels of lead, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, infants and children. Consumers can identify the recalled Fresh Finds branded ground turmeric by the code number printed on the neck of individual jars (above left) and the UPC number printed near the bar code on the back label (above right). “Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ food inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by the New York State Food Laboratory revealed the elevated level of lead,” according to the company’s recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. The Fresh Finds brand ground turmeric powder is packaged in 3.75-ounce jars and has a UPC number of 81026-01230. The recalled product also has the codes of “B/B 03/08/19” or “B/B 05/18/19” on the neck of the jars. The recalled spice was distributed to Big Lots stores nationwide. The Bayonne, NJ, company, which has been importing and manufacturing spices, herbs, seeds and other baking ingredients since 1955 encouraged consumers to discard the recalled Fresh Finds brand turmeric. Consumers can call the company at 201-564-0435 for additional information. No illnesses had been reported in connection with the turmeric as of Thursday, according to the recall. “Lead can accumulate in the body over time. Too much can cause health problems, including delayed mental and physical development and learning deficiencies. Pregnant women, infants and young children especially should avoid exposure to lead. People concerned about blood lead levels should contact their physician or health clinic to ask about testing,” the company warned in the recall notice. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, clickhere.)
]]>https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/07/ground-turmeric-recalled-nationwide-because-of-excessive-lead/feed/0NY Officials Warn Consumers About Raw Milk Listeria Riskhttps://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/12/ny-state-warns-consumers-about-listeria-in-snyder-farms-raw-milk/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/12/ny-state-warns-consumers-about-listeria-in-snyder-farms-raw-milk/#respondFri, 11 Dec 2015 00:13:58 +0000http://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=121355Continue Reading]]>Consumers in New York’s Allegany County and surrounding area were told not to consume “unpasteurized” raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm due to possible Listeria contamination. The public health warning came from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Gerald E. Snyder Farm is located at RD#1, 1444 Randolph Rd., Alfred Station, NY. The department has not yet associated any illnesses with the product that is subject of the public health warning. A department inspector collected a sample of milk from the farm that was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The milk producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result on Dec. 4, 2015, and declined to suspend sales during confirmatory testing. Further laboratory testing, completed on Dec. 9, 2015, confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk sample. The Snyder Farm is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria. The department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm immediately dispose of it and call the department at 518-457-1772 if they have any questions. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, cancer patients, elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Others may suffer only short-term, flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time. Pasteurization kills the bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases, such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and brucellosis. Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis.